Snakes and Lions

There was a crackdown four days after the heist. All over the news was the theft of five billion dollars worth of gold stolen under the nose of the military. Thorne ain't on the news so I assume that he got away.

I looked at my wanted level:

[Health: 100]

[Armor: 100]

[Wanted Level: 0]

[Reputation: Trusted Associate]

[Status: Stable]

Wanted level 0 means that I wasn't associated with the theft. Nonetheless what I feared came true. The workplace investigated and many of the suspected individuals trapped in their homes, investigated. Told me to stay in place while the warrant from the law was still hot.

With my new apartment I was able to sleep far more peacefully. Freedom from Mr. Zeev is a blessing to me and I didn't even think of anything more than what to do next. I would chat with Nance. Jon Locke would also inform me of what is happening in the workplace.

In any case I spent time just lounging around the couch. Thought that my rest days would be quiet when a visitor appeared. Mr. Edward Callahan somehow found my apartment. Didn't know why he was visiting, but I was bored enough to let him in. Alongside Mr. Callahan was Ms. Eloise who apparently got my address after speaking to Mr. Strauss.

"It seems you are doing well," he said.

They entered my apartment and stayed in the living room. I sat opposite them. Mr. Callahan looked at my apartment before nodding. His eyes on me.

"I came here to discuss the job that you've done."

"What job?"

He smiled. His hands went to his pockets. Taking out this note which he handed to me. In the note was Mr. Strauss's signature and that Mr. Callahan knows what happened. I placed the note on the table and folded my arms.

"So, what do you ask of me?"

Mr. Callahan's posture went straight. Ms. Eloise wanted to smoke so I let her while me and him got to talk about what happened. Mr. Callahan leaned forward. His eyes are serious.

"You have the ability. Lt. Thorne commended you for your wonderful driving, Nikolai. We wouldn't have done it without your piloting skills. I'm almost tempted to hire you, no, buy your contract from the Solomons, but they are not selling."

I didn't know what he was after. That alone made me confused. Why would someone with this kind of wealth come to me?

"I will get to the point," he said, "there are jobs that I could offer to you, Nikolai. It is the transportation of parcels. These parcels contain the paperwork of the gold that you flew outside of Pacifica."

I hesitated. Told him that I need more details. Thankfully he was prepared. Handed me a shared data-drive of what I was going to deliver. The job alone consisted of driving a parcel to Mr. Sotto, a bigshot working for the government. And from the looks of it was gunning for the mayor's seat.

I was confused why but it seems like the only person who can sell the gold back to the government was Mr. Sotto and that is after many arrangements and melting the five billion gold that they stole.

He needed the parcel first and it was also the hottest thing in the city.

"Of course, I will pay you well. Should cover the extra expenses that you may have and make sure that some of the honest and decent folks working properly in the government don't know you at all. You do not wish to be part of the Solomons and thus you have no protection from other factions… so personally I wish to grant you this favor, Nikolai."

It was a favor for a favor while also threatening me. I blinked. He saw the change in my expression as I got out of my body and stayed in third-person. Mr. Edward Callahan is a composed and calm individual. Yet, seeing the lazy and amicable self grow serious made him lean a bit back. But that wasn't going to stop him.

This job he is offering is tempting. I can do it. Bloody hell, I can do it just fine and none would be wiser. However, I need to make sure that this is a one time only deal. I said to him.

"This is a one time only favor. Sir, I appreciate that you are confident of what I can do and in a way you are right in trusting me to deliver this. However, I will tell you clearly that this is this time only. I may not look like it, but I plan to live decently and big heists like this are no good to me. There is much I could lose."

He pondered over my words. His hand caressing his knee.

"I understand. A shame since you have such skills."

Despite his sorry tone I couldn't care. This job that they have for me is large and I don't intend to take more. Even I just lost my wanted level after lying low without being seen or heard.

"So do you agree?"

I agreed. He gave me the papers necessary and bundled it up together with the rest. Although he trusted my ability to make sure that the papers are handed to Mr. Sotto. I was going the extra mile by clearing an inventory slot for it.

With the transfer of the papers. He told me that I should meet Mr. Sotto in Coleman. There would be folks that would be checking my items so I better avoid them. Mr. Callahan warned me that if I do get caught then there was no business that happened in the first place. In a way I was convenient since I could deliver the package and also act as a scapegoat, one of the thieves that stole the important documents regarding the gold.

It will work out no matter what happens. Unfortunately for them I don't intend to be discovered and Mr. Sotto will get his parcel.

I drove to Coleman immediately. As expected there were folks waiting for me, almost like a trap. They searched me and had me park my car to the side of the road. Some of them were eager and thorough, but they found no sign of the briefcase containing the papers.

Dim lights and a cloudy sky. With many fold wondering what I did wrong. Couldn't find anything on me and from the looks of it. I have reasons to believe that Mr. Callahan had set me up or there was a snake hiding near him.

After being patted by the police officers. I left the scene and headed into the office of Mr. Sotto is located on White Fence Avenue. It was a marble building with huge columns and large concrete steps leading up. It resembled that of a pantheon building.

I climbed up the stairs and was about to enter when I spotted a face among the crowd. She was short-haired and curvy for a police officer. If anything the uniform suited her so much that it felt perfect for her appearance. She caught my stare. She was surprised first before her eyes turned serious. She approached me while bidding her colleague a goodbye.

"Niko wasn't it?"

"Hey, Audrey."

"Oh, you remember me, so, what are you doing here?"

"Work. How are you? Didn't know you were a police officer."

"Hmm, I don't make a habit of bragging about it. You look good in that suit."

"Thanks, officer," I said. "Though you're probably busy."

"Not that busy. Most of the cases are handled by my seniors. It's beyond my paygrade at the moment."

"I see. Must be hard. This city has a lot of bad folks."

"It's one of the reasons that I fight," Audrey almost sneered. "This city deserves better than this. Oh, I'm taking your time, you must be busy. Ah, what are you doing here?"

"I'm here to deliver to this person called Mr. Sotto. Do you know who that is?" I asked.

She looked at me seriously, grabbed her chin and nodded. "I know the man. Ask the receptionist and she should point you to the office of Sir Sotto."

"Thanks for the help, Audrey."

"No need to thank me for that," she smiled and left.

I went to the receptionist. Asked her about Mr. Sotto, and waited just outside his office, waiting for him to receive me. Maybe because of my physical abilities that I was able to get to hear some nasty parts about his conversation with the other person. Nonetheless, knowledge is a curse, and knowing means that I could get involved so I secretly took out the parcel from my inventory slot and placed it in the casing that I have with me. When Mr. Sotto's assistant came out and said that he was ready. I entered while keeping myself in third person.

Walked in his office and the man with an over-stylized mustache eyed me fiercely. He motioned with his palm for me to sit down. I could guess what he wanted to say.

"So you must be the associate that Mr. Callahan asked? Is it the documents?"

I took out the paperwork silently. On the paper were the bonds and the legal documents that clearly stated that the papers bound the gold bars to said person who holds them.

"Were you searched?"

"Twice coming here," I said to him seriously, "but they sent me for a reason, Sir. So you can get this."

He looked at the papers. That face of his blushing with greed. He looks at me like I'm some prized pony before he gets rid of the awful face. That's five billion dollars worth of gold and he's getting some of it as well.

"This will change everything, Sir," he said. "The billions will save some part of this rotting city. Poverty, crime, and many fools. There are too many families, see, like vultures pecking on the corpse of this city. I pity it."

"And repossessing gold will save it, Sir?"

"Quite astute. That it will in the right hands. Like they said, Mister. Two lions cannot rule in the same valley. One must be the king of this valley and wouldn't it make sense for the king to be the one who understands the city the most? I believe that this transaction has benefited us both. You will receive your payment and I will place a good word for you, son. Hmm, may I know your name, Sir?"

"This is a one time only, Sir."

He smiled at me, "Of course. But I believe that your talents are worth knowing your name. Mr, Callahan, Mr. Gail, and Josiah have said that you are good at transporting goods. And you even brought me this document without any fool knowing. Your name, son."

I stared at him, "Nikolai Orlov. If you have any job for me, Sir. I might take it." I made sure to emphasize the word 'might' while saying that. He looked at me as if he understood and raised both arms.

"Of course, a man must be demanding and you have the right to say such words to me. But where are my manners? I am Henry Sotto, the soon-to-be mayor of this fine city. I thank you for your service, my good sir. I will not forget you and your name, my good sir."

"A good day to you, Sir."

Mr. Sotto gave me an 'elegant' bow before he allowed me to leave. I bid him farewell and walked out of the government building

I left the government office and sped away. I felt like I was talking to someone so slimy that it made me want to wash myself up. These people are playing a game and whatever it is they are planning. I know that I just delivered it. I am not a good man. Never claimed to be one, but thinking about it as I drive the streets of Pacifica. It made me wonder what those papers and gold will do to this damn city.